Renew Creative on Discipling Creatives

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In this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast, recorded during the 2025 RENEW Gathering Monday Night Session, leaders from Renew Creative explore why creatives are essential to disciple making in the local church—and how discipling artists helps the whole church slow down and savor what truly matters

Multiplying Disciples on the College Campus and Beyond (Part 3)

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The episode features Carl and Alicia Williamson from Harding University discussing a training session on disciple-making called 'Multiplying Disciples on College Campuses and Beyond.' This session is on useful disciple-making tools accompanied by a Q&A. 

Multiplying Disciples on the College Campus and Beyond (Part 2)

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The episode features Carl and Alicia Williamson from Harding University discussing a training session on disciple-making called 'Multiplying Disciples on College Campuses and Beyond.' This session is on a specific disciple-making process,

Multiplying Disciples on the College Campus and Beyond (Part 1)

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The episode features Carl and Alicia Williamson from Harding University discussing a training session on disciple-making called 'Multiplying Disciples on College Campuses and Beyond.' This session is on big-picture strategies. Carl, a Bible professor, and Alicia, a Bible faculty member, share their experiences in church planting and working with emerging adults. They emphasize the role of prayer, accountability, vision, and expectation (PAVE) in fostering a disciple-making movement. They recount various personal stories and examples of how these principles have led to the multiplication of disciple-making groups among students, ultimately inspiring transformational faith journeys. The script also includes a practical component where participants are encouraged to pray and reflect on God's role in their disciple-making efforts.

Have a New Disciple By Friday

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This episode of the Real Life Theology podcast, hosted by David Young, focuses on practical ways of making disciples with a sense of urgency. David emphasizes that disciple making requires genuine love for others and the willingness to invest in relationships. He uses personal anecdotes and examples from scripture to illustrate the importance of relational disciple making. Various strategies and methods, such as Discovery Bible Studies, are discussed to help individuals and churches cultivate a disciple-making culture. David also addresses challenges like disciple-making fatigue and suggests integrating discipleship into existing church activities. The podcast concludes with actionable steps, emphasizing prayer, intentionality, and leveraging current relationships to start discipling others effectively.

Theological Thunderdome

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This episode features the 'Theological Thunderdome' session from the 2025 Renew gathering. Hosted by David Young, with several panelists. The discussion explores the radical ethics of the early church and their relevance today. They examine whether these ethics are reproducible in the modern era, touching upon issues like multi-ethnicity, care for the poor, non-violence, radical sexual ethics, and a pro-life stance. The panel also delves into the tension between living these ethics and participating in democratic governance, and the importance of humility in living out these values.

Discipling People Into Emotional and Spiritual Health (pt. 4) Implementing Change and Q&A

In the final episode of the Real Life Theology podcast's four-part series on discipling people into emotional and spiritual health, the focus is on implementing change. The episode discusses practical steps for integrating emotional and spiritual health within church congregations. Key points include the importance of prayer, establishing a long-term vision, and the slow nature of transformational change, which can take 7-10 years. Real-life examples from Uganda illustrate the challenges and perseverance required. Various resources and books are recommended to aid in this journey. Emphasis is placed on patience, intentionality, and starting small to ensure meaningful impact.
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Discipling People Into Emotional and Spiritual Health (pt. 3) Pathways to Growth and Healing

In this episode of the Real Life Theology podcast, part of a series on discipling people into emotional and spiritual health, the focus is on pathways to growth and healing. Key points include the importance of stage-appropriate transparency, understanding spiritual battles, identity in Christ, and the need for spiritual disciplines. The episode also delves into Marcus Warner's FISH acronym (Freedom, Identity, Spirit, and Heart-Focused Community), emphasizing the significance of freedom and identity for new believers. Additional topics cover supporting spiritual children, young adults, and the needs of spiritual parents and grandparents, alongside practical strategies for emotional well-being such as the real prayer method for healing trauma. The importance of humility, vulnerability, and ongoing emotional and spiritual growth is underscored throughout. 
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Discipling People Into Emotional and Spiritual Health (pt. 2) Understanding and Identifying Stages of Maturity

In this episode of the Real Life Theology podcast, the discussion delves into the stages of spiritual and emotional maturity as part of a four-part series on discipling people into emotional and spiritual health. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding these stages: spiritual infants, children, young adults, parents, and grandparents. Key points include the necessity of emotional maturity for true spiritual growth, the identification of spiritual maturity through behavioral examples, and the essential role of guiding individuals through these stages. Additionally, the episode contrasts spiritual gifts with maturity, underscoring the difference between outward talents and true spiritual growth. For more insights and resources, join RENEW.org's Newsletter. Get our Premium podcast feed featuring all the breakout sessions from the RENEW gathering early, and join RENEW.org at one of our upcoming events.
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Black Christian Movement -- Hosted Gathering (pt. 1)

This is part 1 of a 3 episode series. 
Part Episode 1: Personal Journey & Church History
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Today’s episode will help us understand the journey, challenges, and vision of Black Christian leaders as they build community, overcome obstacles, and create a more inclusive future for their churches.
This episode centers on a hosted gathering of African American members of Christian churches, led by Lamont Francies, senior pastor of Delta Bay Community Church. The session’s primary aim is to foster a nationwide network and fellowship among Black Christian leaders, addressing both the challenges and opportunities unique to their communities.
Lamont Francies opens by sharing his personal journey, beginning with his upbringing in San Franciesco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Raised by a single mother in a lower socioeconomic environment, Francies’s early life was marked by resilience and faith. His academic path took him from the projects to Pepperdine University, where he experienced a significant cultural shift and met his first Black professor, Dr. David G. Holmes. This mentorship inspired Francies to consider ministry, though his initial ambitions were in media and entertainment.
Francies recounts his formative years in ministry, starting in Bakersfield, California, where he learned humility and servanthood by performing tasks like driving the church van before being allowed to preach. This experience taught him the importance of knowing and serving the congregation before assuming leadership. Eventually, he returned to the Bay Area, taking on ministerial roles in small congregations and navigating the complexities of church leadership as a young, unmarried man.
A pivotal moment in Francies’s journey was his congregation’s displacement due to racial tensions and resistance to integration within predominantly white Churches of Christ. After being asked to leave a shared church space, his group moved through various temporary locations before ultimately purchasing the very building from which they had been expelled. This full-circle moment underscored both the challenges and triumphs of Black congregations seeking stability and autonomy.
The episode dives into the broader context of Black churches within the Restoration Movement, highlighting the isolation and legalism experienced within the Churches of Christ. Francies describes the difficult decision to leave this fellowship, motivated by a desire for greater inclusivity, growth, and freedom in worship practices. The transition to the Independent Christian Church was facilitated by connections with leaders like Gary Shear and organizations such as the Solomon Foundation, which provided support and a sense of belonging.
Francies also addresses the lack of representation and support for Black congregations at national Christian conventions, such as ICOM, and the need for spaces where their voices and histories are recognized. He recounts efforts to build networks and host rallies focused on urban service and fellowship among Black Christians, though these initiatives faced challenges and eventual decline.
A recurring theme is the importance of documenting and preserving the rich history of African American involvement in the Restoration Movement, particularly within Independent Christian Churches. Francis calls for the creation of resources, websites, and books to ensure this legacy is not forgotten.
The episode concludes with a vision for the future: building a nationwide fellowship that honors the past while addressing contemporary needs, fostering unity, and creating opportunities for growth and leadership among Black Christian communities.

Thrive in your Calling: Multiplying Disciples without Burning out (feat. Christian Ray Flores & Deb de Flores)

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Today’s episode will help us thrive in our calling by learning from personal experiences on understanding burnout, maintaining health, and multiplying our unique gifts without burning out.
In the episode titled "Thrive in your Calling: Multiplying Disciples without Burning Out," the speaker, Christian, begins by expressing gratitude for participating in the workshop, emphasizing its purpose is to help attendees orient themselves towards where they want to go. He introduces his family and their extensive experience leading churches and doing missionary work around the world. 
Christian shares his unique and tumultuous life story, detailing how his early life as a refugee and his diverse experiences across various countries shaped him. He describes significant hardships, such as being in a concentration camp, experiencing poverty, and undergoing multiple relocations. Despite these challenges, he pursued education in economics and a successful career in music, eventually becoming a pop star. However, at the height of his success, he faced clinical depression, which led him to Christianity. His conversion prompted a dramatic career change to ministry work, where he found new purpose and fulfillment. He later experienced a midlife crisis which forced him to recalibrate and reassess various aspects of his life, leading to a significant revival in his professional and personal life.
The episode transitions to his wife, Deb, who shares her perspective on their life in Russia, dealing with her health issues exacerbated by the climate, and experiencing burnout. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and spiritual health, sharing practical steps she took to manage her wellbeing and avoid burnout. Deb outlines the stages of burnout, explaining the emotional and physical symptoms of each phase, and underscores the importance of rest, margin time, and maintaining a healthy routine.
Christian then introduces three key shifts for thriving in one's calling without burning out. The first shift involves moving from survival mode to a state of clarity, creativity, and resilience, emphasizing the need to switch from fear-based living to one fueled by God's love and power. He illustrates this point using the relationship between Paul and Timothy, highlighting the importance of recognizing and nurturing one's specific gifts.
The second shift focuses on identifying one's unique strengths and turning them into undeniable authority. Christian stresses that many ministry leaders lose their individuality by conforming to general roles, and he uses the parable of the talents to illustrate the necessity of multiplying one's gifts rather than burying them. He warns against rationalizations and excuses, urging leaders to take responsibility for their unique contributions.
The final shift is to multiply one's gifts before multiplying disciples. He explains that effective discipleship stems from leaders who have developed and scaled their unique gifts. This involves creating systems and frameworks that allow their influence to be replicated and extended beyond their immediate reach. He underscores the potential for modern technology to vastly expand one's impact.
The episode includes a testimonial from Greg, a ministry leader who experienced significant personal and professional transformation through Christian's coaching program. Greg highlights the positive changes in his marriage and ministry, attributing them to the reframing and intentionality fostered by the program.
Christian concludes by offering further resources and support for those interested in deeper involvement, including a coaching cohort and an intensive workshop aimed at providing practical steps for implementing the discussed shifts. He encourages attendees to invest in their personal development to sustain their calling and avoid burnout.

Teaching on End Times (feat. Anthony Walker)

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Today’s episode will help us gain a comprehensive understanding of the end times, including key theological concepts, personal anecdotes, and essential teachings, while emphasizing the urgency of discipleship and the eternal implications of our earthly choices.
In this episode, Anthony Walker, a minister from the Highway 231 South Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, provides a comprehensive teaching on the end times, also known as eschatology. The session begins with Walker introducing himself and setting the expectation that this teaching will cover a broad spectrum of information, though only a portion may be addressed due to time constraints. He emphasizes the availability of a free ebook on renew.org and a podcast named "Scripture in Black and White" as additional resources for those interested in a more in-depth exploration of the topic.
Walker delves into his personal history, recounting how the death of his father when he was a young child influenced his lifelong quest to understand life, death, and the end times. He shares poignant memories of grappling with the concept of death from an early age, and how his grandmother's profound yet simple theological guidance shaped his initial understanding of eschatology.
Transitioning into the core teachings, Walker outlines the importance of distinguishing between essential, important, and disputable teachings within Christian doctrine. Using examples from both personal anecdotes and scripture, he explains that while some aspects of eschatology may be open to interpretation, there are fundamental elements that are universally accepted among Christians. These essentials include the belief in Christ's second coming, the resurrection of the dead, and God's final judgment.
Walker breaks down what happens after death, referencing terms like "Sheol" from the Old Testament and "Hades" from the New Testament, to describe the intermediate state of the dead. He uses the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate the dichotomy between paradise (a place of comfort for the righteous) and Hades (a place of torment for the unrighteous). He addresses common questions about the afterlife, such as whether souls are inherently eternal and what happens immediately after death.
The session also covers the second coming of Christ, highlighting that it will be visible, sudden, and unexpected, bringing glory to Christ and reuniting Christians. Walker discusses the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment, noting that it will be comprehensive and based on Jesus’s teachings. He emphasizes that everyone will face judgment, and it will be both fair and final.
Walker stresses the importance of living with an awareness of God’s sovereignty and holiness. He points out that while God's love and grace are immense, His justice demands accountability. He vividly describes the horrors of hell as an irreversible punishment for those who reject Christ's atonement, contrasting it with the eternal joy and presence of God in heaven.
In conclusion, Walker calls for an urgent commitment to discipleship, warning against complacency and underscoring the eternal implications of our earthly choices. The episode serves as both a theological exploration and a heartfelt appeal for believers to live in alignment with God’s will, while also providing practical resources for further study on the end times.